Kia is coming after Volkswagen’s foothold on the electric camper market with the new Light Camper, built on its newly announced PV5 electric van.
Hoping to rival the much-admired ID.Buzz, the Light Camper looks to be the production version of the WKNDR concept from November last year—and Kia’s boss also confirmed a larger all-electric camper is being considered too.
“Yes, we are interested in providing a camper van—not only the Light Camper based on PV5, but also one based on PV7, too,” said Kia president Ho-Sung Song this week at the Korean company’s brand-hosted annual EV reveal day in Tarragona, Spain.
Built on the new E-GMP.S platform, the mid-sized PV5 van will launch with Passenger and Cargo variations in Korea and Europe in the second half of this year, starting at a price of around £29,000 ($37,000). As well as the Light Camper, other versions including a Chassis Cab, Crew Cab, Freezer Box, Drop Side, and WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) will follow.
You’ll be able to choose from either a 51.5-kWh or 71.2-kWh battery, with the more powerful version promising a max range just shy of 250 miles (30 miles or so less than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz). Kia says a 10 to 80 percent charge will take just 30 minutes with the right charger.
At the reveal, Kia wanted to focus on the Cargo (with up to 5.1 m3 space in the back) and Passenger options, and was reluctant to talk about the coming campers, but an image of the red interior of the Light Camper was ever-so-briefly flashed up on a giant screen (see top image) during the presentation. What’s more, a side exhibit at the event displayed a PV5 rear end with various camping paraphernalia, including fold-out interior side tables ideal for laptops, places to hang med kits, and stowage for camping gear.
Built in V2L, or vehicle-to-load, means that the camper—much like most Kias now—will be able to power any household electric appliance, which is a boon out in the wild. Inside at the front, a 12.9-inch infotainment screen in the front runs an Android Automotive OS, while the driver gets a 7in digital instrument cluster.
Just like Kia’s WKNDR concept, the Light Camper is intended as an “escape pod for extended weekends in nature,” and should feature a similarly flexible modular interior that can be easily customized for various pursuits. Kia called its concept a “Swiss Army Knife on wheels,” which would also feature a mobile pantry for “cooking aficionados that want to cook with a view.” Here’s hoping a mobile kitchen to rival the likes of Rivian is on the cards.
We’re also hoping Kia’s previous idea of installing an onboard compressor to handle adjusting tire pressure when out on the trail, and inflating mattresses when setting up camp for the night makes it to the production version of the Light Camper too.
